Years following his military service in combat, a veteran from the local area is pursuing benefits

NBC 5 Responds is addressing the case of a Vietnam veteran’s family seeking access to military benefits.

The family is grappling with complications stemming from the former Marine’s discharge, which they believe was linked to PTSD.

Despite returning from the war zone over fifty years ago, they are urging the military to reconsider their veteran’s case.

“I’ve never believed his discharge was right,” says Barbara Ballew, assisting her 77-year-old husband, Steve Ballew, in his home care.

Steve, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, faces challenges accessing full military health care benefits due to his “undesirable discharge” from the Marines in 1970.

According to military records shared with NBC 5 Responds, Ballew was initially hospitalized after sustaining combat injuries in Vietnam and later sought treatment for nightmares at a U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan.

“I was having these nightmares so bad that they were afraid I was going to shoot some of them or myself,” recalls Steve Ballew.

Despite his struggles, the military sent Ballew back to the U.S. under limited duty. However, his military career abruptly ended when he left the base without permission for five months, resulting in an undesirable discharge to avoid court martial.

Barbara believes her husband suffered from PTSD, although it wasn’t formally recognized at the time. The family shared instances of Steve’s distressing behavior, indicating underlying mental health issues.

Steve’s son-in-law, Steve Bunker, also a veteran, took a personal interest in his case and advocated for a review of his records to determine eligibility for benefits.

Following NBC 5 Responds’ involvement and an expedited review by the VA, Steve Ballew received health care benefits for several conditions related to military service, including Parkinson’s and PTSD.

However, the VA clarified that Ballew wasn’t eligible for compensation benefits due to his discharge status, prompting the family to continue pursuing a discharge upgrade through military channels.

Despite their efforts, the family faced setbacks when the Board for Correction of Naval Records denied Ballew’s discharge upgrade, citing the length of his unauthorized absences.

While the family’s journey remains challenging, they remain committed to fulfilling Steve Ballew’s final wishes and advocating for recognition of his service.